The last thing you remembered before the darkness closed in was the sharp, metallic taste of fear. The unsub had cornered you and Spencer in the dim basement of an abandoned building, his eyes cold and calculating as he sized you up. Spencer, always quick to assess the situation, had tried to reason with him, voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

“You don’t have to do this,” Spencer said, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. But the unsub was too far gone, his plan already in motion.

Before you could react, a blow to your head sent the room spinning. You collapsed beside Spencer, his panicked voice fading as the world went dark.

When you came to, your wrists were bound tightly behind your back, the sharp sting of rope cutting into your skin. Every part of you ached, from the impact and the rough handling. The basement was cold, the air heavy with dampness. Spencer was next to you, bound as well, his face pale but focused, scanning the room for any signs of escape. His calm, though visibly strained, was almost comforting—a reminder that Spencer was always thinking, always calculating a way out.

"You okay?” he asked softly, shifting closer to test his ropes. His calm, though strained, was almost comforting.

You nodded, even though your head throbbed. “I’m fine.”

The unsub hadn’t returned, giving you both time to think. Spencer’s mind was already working through every scenario, his voice a small source of comfort. “We’ll get out of this,” he murmured, more to himself than to you. His voice was steady, a small way of comfort. Yet, you both knew the unsub had targeted you for a reason—using you as leverage to get to Spencer.

“We need to figure out how much time we have before he comes back.”

"You think he’s coming back soon?”

“He will. He’s not done with us yet. We might have some time—means he’s waiting for something.”

Spencer quickly scooted closer, his fingers brushing yours briefly as he tested the knots binding you. “I’m going to try to loosen these, stay still."